Fees · Destination Guide
America's first undersea park meets easy reef days and legendary wrecks
Key fee: John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park day-use admission
USD $8 per vehicle + $0.50 per person (up to eight people)
Updated Dec 13, 2025 • 12 sources
Confirm these fees before you book so your operator plan and day budget match what you will pay onsite.
Key Largo does not have a universal marine-park tag like some island destinations. Budget for state-park entry if you drive into John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, and for fishing and lobster permits if you plan to harvest. Sanctuary rules apply regardless of fees, and many reefs are in no-take zones.
| Fee | Amount | Applies to | Where to pay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park day-use admission | USD $8 per vehicle + $0.50 per person (up to eight people) day use | Visitors entering the park by vehicle |
| Pay at the park entrance station (Florida State Parks) |
Fees can vary by vehicle and group size. If your dive or snorkel boat departs from inside the park, plan to arrive early for entry and parking. |
| Florida recreational saltwater fishing license | Varies by residency and duration daily and annual options | Fishing and harvesting in Florida saltwater | Florida licensing system and approved agents | Required for most recreational harvesting activities. Check current exemptions and rules before your trip. |
| Florida spiny lobster permit | Varies by residency and duration annual (plus short-term options in some cases) | Harvesting spiny lobster | Florida licensing system (often bundled with saltwater license purchase flow) | A saltwater fishing license and lobster permit are required. Mini-season is the last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday of July each year and night diving is prohibited in Monroe County during the sport season. Harvest is prohibited in many protected areas and no-take zones. |
| Sanctuary Preservation Area access | No fee N/A | Divers, snorkelers, and boaters | N/A | Diving and snorkeling are allowed, but fishing and collecting are not. Do not touch coral. Use mooring buoys whenever available and never anchor on coral. |
Fee
day use
Fees can vary by vehicle and group size. If your dive or snorkel boat departs from inside the park, plan to arrive early for entry and parking.
daily and annual options
Required for most recreational harvesting activities. Check current exemptions and rules before your trip.
annual (plus short-term options in some cases)
A saltwater fishing license and lobster permit are required. Mini-season is the last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday of July each year and night diving is prohibited in Monroe County during the sport season. Harvest is prohibited in many protected areas and no-take zones.
N/A
Diving and snorkeling are allowed, but fishing and collecting are not. Do not touch coral. Use mooring buoys whenever available and never anchor on coral.